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Smith Heads to Mobtown, Gallardo to the Emerald City

The Seattle Mariners acquired Yovani Gallardo and cash from the Baltimore Orioles this morning in exchange of outfielder, Seth Smith. In regards to the trade and it's impact for both teams, it was a trade that was needed and will fulfill holes on both ends.

Seattle went into the winter looking for another veteran presence to add to their starting rotation and they have found that in Gallardo albeit Gallardo comes with certain struggles, but does provide the Mariners with a nice track record. On the other side, Seth Smith allows the Orioles to bolster their offensive production incase they end up losing Mark Trumbo in free agency.

Both Gallardo and Smith are set to hit free agency next winter meaning that it is essentially a one-year deal and allows plenty of time to evaluate the impact of both players on the overall success for both teams this coming season.

Gallardo, when healthy and on his game, should provide a big boost to the Mariners rotation to compliment Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma as well as the other young starters Seattle has coming up the pipeline. Gallardo did struggle last season posting a 5.42 ERA in 118.0 IP, but did miss some time at the beginning of the season due to right shoulder bicep tendinitis. Prior to last season, Gallardo did really well with the Texas Rangers posting a 3.42 ERA in 184.1 IP. Additionally, Baltimore ended up saving $4 million dollars in this trade which means that General Manager, Dan Duquette, can use those savings to address another part of the roster such as acquiring another bat or signing a free agent starting pitcher left on the market.

Smith, who is 34-years old and often referred to by his teammates as Father, will also have impact on either the 3 or 4 hole within the Orioles lineup. Smith had a great season last year hitting: .249/.342/.415 in 378 at bats with 94 hits, 16 home runs, 63 RBI, 48 walks, and 89 strikeouts. During the last three seasons combined including the 2016 season, Smith recorded 40 home runs along with 153 RBI meaning that he does have good odds of replicating his success of those three years during the coming season.

Regardless of the controversy brought forth by this trade and the potential wild card pitcher that the Mariners are taking on, it was a good trade for both teams and something that needed to happen. Gallardo may not get the Mariners to the postseason entirely himself and Smith might not impact the Orioles enough to carry them to October, but both players will certainly fulfill needs that both teams had prior to this trade.